Ogogo's message

The former Shrewsbury Town skipper turned down a new deal to stay with last season’s League One play-off finalists to join the Sky Blues .

But despite an impressive debut on the opening day of the campaign against Scunthorpe United and playing the first five games of the season, the 28-year-old midfielder has been limited to just four league starts for Mark Robins ’s men.

Forced to play a waiting game, Ogogo admits he’s frustrated and says he’s throwing himself into hard work in training, the Under-23s and Checkatrade Trophy games as he bides his time, waiting for a way back in to the starting line-up.

“It has been very frustrating and of course I want to play,” said the experienced central midfielder, who faces fierce competition from Michael Doyle , Liam Kelly and Tom Bayliss , “but we have won the last few so as long as the team keep doing that, that’s the main thing and I’ll wait for my chance.

“I started the season and then missed Gillingham with a hamstring injury and its been a bit stop/start since then and I haven’t really got in the team.

“I sat out the one game because I didn’t want it to get any worse and end up being out for six weeks, so that’s obviously put me back a little bit.

“That’s part and parcel of football but I thought I started well but then missing the Gillingham game killed me.

“It’s still early doors. We have played 13 games and there is still a long way to go so it’s just a question of keeping my fitness up and making sure I am ready for when needed.”

Ogogo got valuable match minutes in the development squad’s 4-1 victory over Colchester United Under-23s on Monday when he hopes to have impressed the watching manager.

“It was nice to get 90 minutes in and a good run out because it’s been a while,” he said.

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“It was a good win, I was involved in one of Bakayoko ’s goals and I should have buried it myself really but my excuse is it was on my left foot.

“But I got an assist for the first goal and I am pleased to get a full game under my belt.

“Training is good but it’s the games where you get your fitness, so it has been good to be involved in the 23s and Checkatrade games.

“All you can do is your best and give the gaffer a headache for the team on Saturday.”

And Ogogo revealed that he’s happy to remind Robins in person if he’s not selected.

“I’m more the type to be banging on the manager’s door to be honest with you because it’s frustrating not playing,” he said.

“Training all week to know that you’re going to be on the bench and not even come on, like I haven’t in the last few games, is frustrating.

“Everyone is different but I just want to make the gaffer aware that I’m ready.

“He’s a very approachable guy and he has explained to me what I need to work on and what the situation is and it’s just a case of training hard every day and making sure I take the 23s games serious to get my fitness up so when you do get thrown in you are ready.”

Robins admits it’s as much about fitting him in to the team at the minute rather than a question of fitness or form.

“Abu’s game is about going forward, all day long,” said the manager.

“He just wants to go and press people and put them under pressure because that’s what he’s good at.

“So it’s just trying to get him into the team to do that, but it’s not set up at the minute to do that.”

The player agreed, saying: “Yeah, definitely.

“That’s up to the gaffer. He knows what type of player I am and where I play. He knew that before he signed me so hopefully he can fit me into the team.

“My game is more about putting people under pressure and winning the ball back.

“You can do that in a three because you have always got one behind you, but in a two you have to be more disciplined.”

Asked if he hopes the formation will change as the season goes on to accommodate him, he said: “Maybe.

“You’d have to ask the gaffer but he’s got a set formation of 4-2-3-1 but if we come up against a 4-3-3 and he wants to match them up then he’s got players to throw in to suit it.

“But as long as I am central, whether that is sitting or pressing, I don’t mind.”

The player wants to establish himself sooner rather than later but he definitely wants to be a regular in the side by the time he makes his first return to the New Meadow just before Christmas.

“I’d love to play, especially back there although I am not too sure what sort of reception I will get from the fans who weren’t to happy when I left,” he said.

“But I just want to get in the team ASAP.

“I was captain there and played a lot of games for them and gave my best, as I do all the time, give 110 per cent so hopefully if I go back there and play I will get a good reception.

“I want to be established as soon as possible. I want to be in the team every week.

“The gaffer has got his set team at the minute and as long as we keep picking up results I don’t think the team will change too much.

“So all I can do is be patient, train hard and play well in these Under-23 games and wait for my chance.”

New deal

Coventry City boss Mark Robins has offered talented Academy scholar Jack Burroughs his first professional contract.

The 17-year-old, who has been at the club since the tender age of seven, made his senior debut for the Sky Blues against Forest Green in the Checkatrade Trophy last week, going on as a second half substitute for Jak Hickman.

And a week later he has been offered pro forms when his scholarship comes to an end this season, agreeing a two year deal with the club he supports.

“I remember when Jack joined the club aged seven and now to see the joy on his and his family’s faces was a wonderful moment,” said Academy manager Rich Stevens of the versatile attacking midfielder.

“I’m really proud to have seen him grow up and now I look forward to watching him take the next step in his career, and he is in the right place to do that.”

Sky Blues Under-23s assistant coach, Luke Tisdale, who has worked with Jack during his development, said: “I’m delighted for Jack.

“He was in my Under-12s side when I joined the club and he has always been 100% committed and I know this will mean a lot to him, being a Coventry City fan.

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“Jack is a powerful athlete and a versatile midfielder with a great personality and I look forward to working with him in his next phase of development.”

Jack will now continue his scholarship with Academy before linking up with the Sky Blues for the start of the 2019/20 season when he will be part of the development squad, trying to force his way into Mark Robins 's first team.

Burroughs' proud dad Steve has expressed his delight.

Remembering Joe Cole

It's three years to the day since Joe Cole signed for Coventry City from Aston Villa.

The Sky Blues official Twitter page went into meltdown when the signing was confirmed back in 2015 - just five years after the ex-England ace was hailed as a better performer than Lionel Messi!

Our man at the Ricoh Arena, Andy Turner looks back on his time at the club.

Excitement

Cole’s arrival, initially on loan from Aston Villa, caused great excitement among Coventry City fans, many of whom could hardly believe the former England star was prepared to drop down from the Premier League to League One.

Although he took time to get going as he attempted to get his fitness up to speed following injury, he displayed glimpses of genuine top class quality on the ball.

He joined Tony Mowbray’s brilliant young side that included the exceptional attacking loan trio of Adam Armstrong, Jacob Murphy and Ryan Kent that had taken the division by storm in the opening four months of the 2015/16 campaign.

Cole was hoped to be the icing on the cake, sprinkling the occasional bit of top flight star dust and world class experience on and off the pitch – a hugely influential figure in a young and vibrant dressing room that included James Maddison.

He was part of a handful of memorable Sky Blues performances during his 22 appearances, most notably a 5-0 victory at Crewe and 6-0 Ricoh Arena thrashing of Bury, and scored two goals, including an unforgettable 20-yard free-kick to help seal a 4-3 victory over Barnsley.

He was very humble, happy to turn out on a damp Tuesday night at Rochdale and spend time passing on his knowledge to young players, but never really hit the heights everyone had hoped for in a City season that tailed off dramatically after Christmas.

Stand out memories

Carl O’Brien: “Free kick v barnsley in a 4-3 win was quality.”

Phil Sims: “My favourite moment is that game he played once.”

Antony Cook : “His quality was there for all to see but he just didn’t look fit enough. Think James Maddison would have learnt a lot from him during his spell here.”

Worst ever

Former Coventry City striker Nii Lamptey has revealed that joining Aston Villa in 1994 was the worst decision of his career.

The former Ghana international was signed by Ron Atkinson after making an impression in Belgium with Anderlecht.

Having scored twice on his 16th birthday when making his debut for Anderlecht, and then inspiring Ghana to victory in the under-17 World Cup in 1991, Nii Lamptey was described by Pele as having the potential to become the world's best.

The Ghanaian winger hit three goals in two League Cup games against the Wigan and for a short time, everything looked like it was going to go swimmingly at Villa.

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It turned out to be the sum total of his goal output as Lamptey only made three starts and six substitute appearances in his solitary season in B6.

In a recent interview with Atinka FM, Lamptey believes it was a bad mistake at that time of his career.

“The timing wasn’t right. The type of football in England didn’t suit me.”

It echoes what Lamptey said at the time after his brief Villa Park career had come to an end.

He explained at the time: "After six years in Europe with Anderlecht I was ready to come and fulfil my dream in England. But while I was away in Africa playing international football for my country, Ron left Villa and Brian Little took over.

"Little did not know me and I did not know him, and when I came back I was just pushed into the reserves. I knew I had no future there."

He didn't make much of an impression in his 6 appearances for the Sky Blues but his legacy lives on as the name of a popular fan podcast. Lamptey signed in 1995 under Big Ron but his brief stay ended the year after when he joined Italian club Venezia.

Speaking during his time at Coventry, the forward revealed how he could have gone back home to be a king rather than trying to impress in the Midlands.

He explained at the time: "My family back home want me to return to be the headman. They keep telling me I am famous, and should become king one day, but that is not what I want. The throne will become vacant, but there is no way I want to fill it."

"When you are in that position can you imagine how many problems you have to sort out, especially when there are three million people to look after," smiled Lamptey.

"I love English football too much to return and become involved in all those sorts of problems. It has always been my dream to play here, and I don't want to miss it, even if it means passing up the chance of becoming a king."

He is now assistant manager of Sekondi Wise Fighters in Ghana's Division One.